Auto Racing
RCR knockout strategy works at Talladega Superspeedway
TALLADEGA, Ala. – A group decision for all of the cars powered by Earnhardt Childress engines to work together at Talladega Superspeedway proved the correct call in NASCAR’s new knockout qualifying format.
Richard Childress Racing drivers and their affiliates swept the first three rows on the starting grid for Sunday’s race, with the pole going to Brian Scott, who will lead the field to the green flag in just his fifth career Sprint Cup Series start.
Cars with ECR engines took six of the 12 spots in the third and final round of knockout qualifying.
It was Scott on the pole, followed by Menard and then AJ Allmendinger, an RCR-affiliated driver. Casey Mears, also an affiliated driver, qualified fourth and was followed by Daytona 500 pole-sitter Austin Dillon and Newman.
It was the first time NASCAR has used its new knockout format on a restrictor-plate track in the Sprint Cup Series. Daytona 500 qualifying in February was done with traditional single-car runs.
Sadler saddles victory after a 3-lap Nationwide shootout
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Elliott Sadler won a three-lap shootout to the checkered flag in the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
It was the 10th Nationwide Series victory of Sadler’s career but first since 2012. He went winless last season in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s Sadler’s first career win at Talladega.
Chris Buescher finished second and Regan Smith, winner of last year’s race, was third.
Boxing
‘Pretty Boy Floyd’ gets cut but wins Maidana brawl
LAS VEGAS – Marcos Maidana did everything but beat Floyd Mayweather Jr., taking him 12 tough rounds before losing a majority decision.
Mayweather remained unbeaten Saturday night but not by much. Maidana swarmed all over him from the opening bell and gave him perhaps his toughest fight in a 16-year pro career.
In the end, though, Mayweather got the win – just as he did in his previous 45 fights. He retained his welterweight title by winning 117-111 on one scorecard and 116-112 on another. A third judge had it even at 114-114.
Cycling
Albasini gets 3rd stage win; Spilak leads in Switzerland
FRIBOURG, Switzerland – Michael Albasini of Switzerland sprinted to his third Tour of Romandie stage win Saturday, holding off Thomas Voeckler of France in a three-rider break.
Overall leader Simon Spilak of Slovakia retained his 1-second margin over defending champion Chris Froome of Britain, with both finishing Stage 5 in the pack.
Albasini, riding for Orica Green-Edge, finished the 107-mile trek in more than four hours, a bike length ahead of Voeckler. Jan Bakelants of Belgium was third, and the pack was another 9 seconds back.
Froome will start as the favorite when the six-day race will end Sunday with an 11.5-mile individual time trial.
Tennis
Ginepri earns a wild card into the French Open
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Robby Ginepri earned a wild card into the French Open’s main draw from the U.S. Tennis Association.
The 31-year-old Ginepri clinched the wild card Saturday by defeating James McGee 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Wild Card Challenge in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ginepri, a 2005 U.S. Open semifinalist, is ranked 442nd.
Suarez Navarro bucks trend to win the Portugal Open
OEIRAS, Portugal – Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain won her first career title at the Portugal Open on Saturday.
Suarez Navarro outlasted Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in their final. The Spaniard had lost her previous five finals, including last year’s championship match in Oeiras.
Associated Press
